OTTAWA: A Sydney man was arrested in Enfield earlier this week after an unexpected flight diversion brought him through Canadian customs.
Tayne William Halfkenny, 27, was arrested on Sunday after his flight to Halifax was diverted to Bangor, Maine.
Halfkenny and the other passengers travelling on a flight from Edmonton were later inspected by the Canada Border Services Agency after arriving in Nova Scotia from the United States.
At that time, customs officers noticed that Halfkenny had been wanted on a public interest warrant issued only two days prior.
Halfkenny made a brief appearance in Sydney provincial court on charges of assault with a weapon (bear spray), assault, being unlawfully in a dwelling house, carrying a weapon dangerous to the public peace and two breaches of court orders.
The offences are alleged to have occurred on Oct. 26, 2014, in Sydney, and involve two victims.
Crown attorney Sheldon Nathanson said the accused allegedly expressed to border officials that he was headed home for a court appearance.
Halfkenny is slated for trial Monday on three charges of assault and single counts of assault causing bodily harm and mischief that stem from an incident that occurred on Sept. 21, 2013, in Sydney.
Cape Breton Regional Police drove to pick up Halfkenny at Halifax Stanfield International Airport.
He has since been remanded into custody pending the outcome of a bail hearing Friday.
Nathanson said Halfkenny is expected to face additional charges for failing to abide by the conditions of his release.
